THANE: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the family of Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a pony ride operator who is being hailed as a hero for sacrificing his life while protecting tourists during the Pahalgam terror attack.
Shah, the sole breadwinner of his family, earned his livelihood by taking tourists on horseback rides in the scenic region of Pahalgam in south Kashmir, where 26 people, mostly tourists, were gunned down by terrorists on April 22.
Reports indicate the 20-year-old tried to shield a tourist travelling on his horse and even attempted to disarm one of the terrorists by grabbing a rifle.
However, he was shot dead by the terrorists in the process.
The pony ride operator, who ferried visitors through the mountainous terrain of Pahalgam, was the only local who died in the dastardly attack.
Deeply moved by the pony ride operator's act of courage, Deputy CM Shinde, who was in Srinagar on April 23 to assist stranded tourists from Maharashtra, decided to personally provide financial assistance to the young hero's family, an official release by his office in Thane stated on Friday.
A cheque of Rs 5 lakh was delivered to the Shah family by workers of the Shiv Sena, headed by Shinde, and officials from a border organisation who travelled to Pahalgam for the purpose on Friday, said the release.
The deputy CM also spoke to Shah's family via video conferencing, offering condolences and words of comfort.
During the interaction, his brother recounted the harrowing details of the attack and the valiant efforts made by the young man to save the tourists.
Shinde praised the pony guide's extraordinary courage and humanity, calling his actions a "unique example to the world."
He assured the family that their son's sacrifice would not go in vain, said the release.
Shinde committed to supporting the family further by helping reconstruct their dilapidated home, it said.
"The bravery shown by Syed Adil Hussain Shah will be remembered by the entire nation. His martyrdom is a testament to the power of humanity in the face of terror," the Shiv Sena leader said during the video call, according to the release from his office.
